Calipers.



W. F. HINKLE.

CAUPERS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22, i9!!- 1,285,175. Patented N0v.19,l918.

. rnn srA'rEs PATENT 'orrron.

, WALTER F. HINKLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLIN oALIrEns.

Application filed October 22, 1917; Serial N 0. 197,?73.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER F. HINKLE, a citizen of the United States, residing atChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Calipers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to calipers, and the object is to rovide a construction whereby" ferent relative positions-also to make said locks yieldable under pressure exerted in a direction to change the angle of the arm sections. Still another object is to so arrange the scales and their reading lines or indices as to compensate for the changed positions of the outer sections of the arms relatively to the main or inner sections when altered for inside and outside measurements. Contributory objectswill become evident as the description proceeds.

I accomplish my objects by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a face view of the caliper adjusted t0 takeloutside measurements. In this figure the zero position is shown in full lines. 1

Fig. 2 is a face; view of the caliper adjusted to take inside measurements. vIn this figure, the zero position is shown in full lines.

Fig. 3 is a sectionalview on the-line 33, 7 Fig. 1. I t

Fig. 4: is a sectional view-0n the line 44, Fig. 2. q I

Fig. 5 is a sectional view'onthe line'55, Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is an edge view of theparts as. shown in Fig. 2.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1e, 191s.

. Fig. 7 is an edge View showing the caliper folded.

Similar numerals refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I provide two arms pivoted together, each arm consistlngof a main or inner section and an outer section pivoted thereto." In the drawings,

the main sections 1 and 2 are connected by a pivot 3. The outer sections 4 and 5 are connected at the outer ends of the sections 1 and 2, respectively, by means of pivots 6. The outer sections have fingers S'for contacting the object to be measured. Outer sec-,

tions 4 and 5 contact the inner or proximate faces ofthe main sections 1 and 2, and said main sections are properly, spaced apart to accommodate them In the particular design shown, the section 2 has a hub 10. which acts as a spacer. I

The inner faces of the outer sections 4 and '5 are smooth so that they may pass each other. In order toincrease the. range of usefulness of the device, I have provided means for holding'the outer sections at differentangles with respect to the inner sections. For example, when outside measurements are to be taken, the outer sections are bent toward each other, as shown in Fig. 1. When inside measurements are to be taken, the outer sections are straightened so as to' lie proximately in line with theinner sections, as ShOWn in Fig. '2. I I have provided self locking meansfor holding the outer sections in their different positions. The means provided consist in the present case of flat spr ngs 12 fastened to the outside of the foam sections 1 and 2 and carrying knobs 13 which fit into holes 14 formed adjacent to the pivot 6 and concentric therewith. The. knobs are preferably rounded and the con structionand coaction is such that when the outer sections are brought to the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, the knobs will snap into one of the holes 14. and will hold the, outer sections against any ordinary force.

But by exerting extra force, the operator maystraighten out they outer sections, as shown in Fig. 2, or may fold them'longitw dinally inward,'as shown in Fig. 7 .I When thus exerting force, the operator will cause the knobs to recede from the holes they were tions desired, said lock yielding if su'liicient pressure is exerted by the operator. Depressio-ns 16 are formed in the outer surfaces of the main sections 1 and 2 to attord room tor the operator to grip the sides of the springs 12 and deliberately lift the knobs 13 out of the holes is if he prefers this to the automatic operation.

My caliper is self indicating and, in the present illustrated form, shows the readings both in inches and centimeters and fractions thereof. According to'the design shown, the main section 1 has our sight apertures, 20, 21, 22 and 23. Each of these has a pointer for cooperating with the proximate scale, which passes adjacent to it when the main sections are rotating, as they are in the taking 01 measurements. The pointer cooperates with the scale to read the outside measurement in inches. The pointer 26 cooperates with the scale 2?. to read the.

outside measurement in centimeters. lhese scales are shown in Fig. l. The pointer 28 cooperates with the scale to read the in side measurement in inches, and the pointer 80 cooperates with the scale '31 to read the inside measurements in centimeters. These scales are shown in Fig. 2, All tour of these scales are concentric with the main pivot 33, but the outside scales and the inside scales are angularly offset to allow for the different positions of the arm sections when adjusted for inside or outside measurements. This not only gives the instrument greater field or usefulness, but causes't-he scale which is not being read to be covered up by the overlying disk of the superposed main section. In other words, the user cannot make any mistake by reading the wrong scale because it will be hidden from view.

In operation, it the user wishes to take outside measurements, he adjusts the outer sections -l and 5 to an oblique angle with the inner or main sections, as shown in F lg. 1.

This increases the scope of the instrument for with this adjustment, for example, it would be possible to measure the thickness of the web of a channel iron or iii bQiHll, the arms being bowed to clear the flange. ll hen the fingers 8 are brought into contact with the object to be measured, he scales and 27 may be read opposite the respective indices and 26, thus showing inches and centimeters, respectively, thereof. At this time the scales 29 and 31, shown in Fig. 2, will be hidden by the dish portion of the apertured main section 1. the user wishes to takeinside measurements, he re-adjusts the outer sections and 5, and

and fractions r which show inches and centimeters, IGSPGC'.

tivelv, and fractions thereof. In reading the last mentioned scales, he uses the index 28 or 30, depending upon whether he wishes to read-the measurement in inches or centimeters. i-it this time the scales 25. and 27 will be hidden. It will thus be seen that the device is a direct reading instrument, both when used as aninside caliper and as an outside caliper and is adjustable so; that its range of utility may exceed the range of the ordinary caliper. There is no danger of the operators reading the wrong scale for only the proper scale will be revealed. When the opera or is through using theinstrument, he folds the outer sections 4 and 5 inward, as shown in Fig.7, thus bringing the instrument to verysmall compass. The outer sections willbe automatically locked in all of their contemplatedpositions and, as the result of this automatic locking, the operator may be sure that when the sections are locked they are accurately positioned.

Hav'ng thus described my invention, what 1 claim new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: r

1. i i caliper having jointed arms provided with self-locking means for locking the oints ot the arms automatically in either of two definite 'positions, one for inside and the othcrfor outside measurements, and two scales, one in position to correctly indicate the measurement when the outer sections are adjusted totake outside measurements and the other in position to correctly indicate the measurement when the outer sections are adjustedto take insidemeasurements.

A gethe'r, and each consisting of two sections pivoted toge tl'ier, each arm being provided with self-locking means for automatically locking the outer sections in either of two definite positions relatively to the respective main or inner sections for taking inside and outside measurements, the locking positions being symmetrical in each instance, and two scales. one in position to correctly ind=icate the measurement when the outer sec tions are adjusted to take outside measurements and the other in position to correctly indicate the measurement when the outer sections are adjusted to take inside measurements.

3. A caliper adapted for both inside and outside measurements, said caliper having two arms pivoted together, each arm com-' prising two sections pivoted together, and loclrs for holding the outer sections of each arm in predetermined relatloir with the caliper having two arms pivoted toinner section thereof, one for taking inside measurementsand the other for taking out: side measurements, the locking positions being such that the two arms as a whole will be symmetrical when adjusted for taking inside'measurements and symmetrical when adjusted for takingv outside measurements, said locks being yieldable whereby they will release when pressure is applied, and two scales, one in positionto correctly indicate. the measurement when the outer sections are adjusted to takeoutside measurements and the other in position to correctly indicate the measurement when the outer sections are adjusted to take inside measurements, the arms being capable of passing each other, whereby zero measurements can be taken in outside measurements and almost as low as zero measurements may be taken on inside measurements.

4. An indicating caliper having two arms pivoted together, each arm consisting of two sections pivoted together and adapted to maintain difi'erent definite positions rela tively to each other for taking inside and outside measurements, and two scales, one for indicating inside and the other for indicating outside measurements.

5. A caliper having two arms pivoted to gether, each arm consisting of two sections pivoted together for taking internal and external measurements, locking means on each arm for holding the outer sections in either one of two definite acting positions, the two outer sections maintaining the same angular relation to the inner sections when adjusted for outside measurements, and maintaining the same angular relation to the inner sec tions when adjusted for inside measurements, and two scales, one in position to correctly indicate the measurement whenthe outer sections are adjusted to take outside measurements and the other in position to correctly indicate the measurement when the outer sections are adjusted to take inside measurements.

6. A caliper having two arms pivoted together, each arm consisting of two sections pivoted together and capable of maintaining different positions relatively to each other for taking inside and outside measurements, the inner section of one of the arms having two scales concentric with the main pivot of the arms, said scales being angularly ofiset to compensate for the changed positions of the outer sections of the arms 7. A caliper having two arms, each arm consisting of a main and an outer section pivoted together, the main sections of. the arms being pivoted together, the main and outer sections of each arm being capable of maintaining different positions relatively to each other for taking inside and outside measurements, the main section of one of the arms having two scales both graduated 1 each other for taking inside and outside 1 measurements, the main section of one of the arms having two scales graduated in inches and concentric with the main pivot, but at dlfierent distances from said pivot, and the other main section having two indices, one, passing ad acent to one of said scales and the other to the other, one of said indices pointing radially inward and the other pointing radially outward toward their respective scales.

9. A caliper having two arms, each arm consisting of a main and an outer section pivoted together, the main sections of each arm being pivoted together, the main and outer sections of each arm being capable of maintaining diflerent positions relatively to each other for taking inside and outside measurements, the main section of one of the arms having two scales graduated in inches and concentric wlth the mam pivot but at different distances from said pivot and angularly offset to compensate for the changed positions of the outer sections of the arms, and the other main section having two indices, one passing adjacent to one of said scales and the other to the other.

10. A caliper having two arms, each arm consisting of a main and an outer section pivoted together, the main sections of each arm being pivoted together, the main and outer sections, of each arm being capable of maintaining difierent positions relatively to each other for taking inside and outside measurements, the mam section of one of the arms having two scales, graduated in inches and concentric with the main pivot but at different distances from said pivot and angularly oflset to compensate for the changed positions of the outer sections of the arms,

and the other main section having two indices, one passing adjacent to one of said scales and the other to the other, one of said indices pointing radially inward and the other pointing radially outward toward 7 their respective scales.

11. A caliper composed of two arms, each arm having a main section pivoted to the main section of the other arm and having an outer section pivoted at its outer end, said arms being capable of passing each other to enable inside and outside measurements to be taken, means for locking the outer sections at difierent angles with respect to their respective main sections for taking inside and outside measurements respectively, a scale graduated in inches on the inner surface of one of the main sections for indicating inside readings, theothei main section having a sight aperture for revealing said scale, and an index for reading it, another scale graduated in inches on the inner surface ofthe scaled main section for indicat- 10 ing outside readings, the apertured main seeeeann tion having a sight aperture for revealing the last mentioned scale and an index for reading it, thetwo scalesbeing radially nifset, and also angula'rly offset to compensate for the different adjusted positions of the outer sections and to renderone of the scales hidden when the other scale is revealed.

In witnessxwhereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. 7

YVALTER F. HINKLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatente,

Washington, D. C. 

